Match Review (QF): Belgium v. Brazil

Belgium v Brazil
Score: 2-1
Goals: Fernandinho (og) 13', De Bruyne 31', Augusto 76'
Possession: 43-57
Shots: 8-26
Man of the match: Thibaut Courtois (8S)

In one of the most exciting matches of this tournament, Belgium knocked off Brazil to advance to the semi's in St. Petersburg. The match started off with Brazil on the front foot. They looked deadly on corners and created two early chances that they will be begging to have back. The first was swung in by Neymar and was flicked on at the near post by Miranda. His flick on traveled right to the knee of Thiago Silva who's kneed effort smashed into the post and was eventually cleared. Their next chance fell to Barcelona man Paulinho. The corner was sent in and went past everyone and found Paulinho at the top of the box with so much open space. Unfortunately, he hit a tame effort that didn't even reach the keeper and was booted clear. Then Belgium decided to strike and strike they did. From a deflected long-range effort by De Bruyne, the Belgians won a corner. The corner was swung in, and two Manchester City men were the near post. Gabby Jesus completely missed the ball and midfield man Fernandinho got a touch on the ball. Unfortunately, his touch went into his own net and gave the Belgians a 1-0 lead. Brazil didn't back down though and continued to push forward. Their first chance after the goal fell to maligned striker Gabriel Jesus. Neymar picked the ball up on the left wing and did his thing beating two defenders. He then squared the ball, but Jesus couldn't get the ball out of his feet, and the chance was lost. But then against the run of play, Belgium doubled their advantage. They did it on a brilliant counter-attacking move which was started by big man Romelu Lukaku. Lukaku beat the entire Brazilian midfield and played the ball forward to his former Chelsea teammate Kevin De Bruyne. De Bruyne who had Meunier to his right decided to have a go himself. He hit a peach of a strike across the goal which blasted itself into the bottom corner giving Belgium a surprising 2-0 lead. This sent the match into halftime with the current favorites down 2-0. Tite decided to switch it immediately up in the second half bringing on Roberto Firmino at halftime and Douglas Costa a couple minutes later. The entire half was dominated by Brazil who were creating chance after chance. Their first fell to Paulinho who was played in by Coutinho on the right, but his shot was well saved by Courtois. The following opportunity fell to Douglas Costa who was brilliant in his substitute cameo. Firmino picked up the ball on the counter-attack and booted it up towards Costa. Costa beat Meurnier and had a 1v1 vs. Courtois. But the Chelsea keeper again came out on top. Then when all hope seemed lost for the Brazilians, magician Phil Coutinho produced a moment of magic. He found a pocket of space in the middle of the park and lofted a perfect ball towards substitute midfielder Renato Augusto. Augusto got his head on it and nodded it home past the seemingly unbeatable Courtois. Brazil continued to push following the goal. Their first chance after the goal fell to the magician Coutinho. It all started from a counter attack. The ball was held up brilliantly by Bobby Firmino who then picked his head up and played Neymar in. Neymar then picked his head up himself and laid off a great ball to the on running Coutinho. But Coutinho's shot was sliced and went miles wide form about ten yards out. Brazil didn't give up and in the 93' minute they created on last chance. The ball was played to the right, to Costa. Costa beat both his men and found Neymar at the top of the box. Neymar hit a curler which looked destined for the top corner but the big man Thibaut Courtois came up with the save and knocked the Brazilians out. This sets up Belgium for a European powerhouse clash in the semi's against France.